Debbit

Thanks for the good wishes. We are getting comfortable under the vehicle. Got help from those forums, and a parts supplier that was a big help in ordering proper transmission filter, gasket and fluid and other maintainence parts and information. I think the gas filter made a huge difference, it is much peppier. VW won't work on it because it has a vin number reflecting its winnabego build, and they "can't authorize the specs" or some such nonsense. There are very complete DIY instructions for servicing the transmission, and we feel good that we did it ourselves. Luckily we are short, but the headroom is about 6'2"". We got this for a really reasonable price. I probably wouldn't have been tempted otherwise. Mostly, I can park in out of town family's driveways. It cruises along strong and quiet at about 60. It will easily go faster, but the Rpms go up to around 4000 at 65-70, and I think thats pushing it too much. So stay around 62. If I need it, the pick up is there. Mpg is good so far. Around 17. Before new fuel and air filter. I do miss the sunrader camping though.

I thought I'd "report" on how it is to camp and travel in my "new" rig. While a good cruiser once you get going, the Rialta is no speed demon. It is a little quieter and easier to drive on the interstates, and it gets a little better mileage, it isn't as roomy as the toyhome. Doesn't have as much storage, but an amazing number of cubbies everywhere (good memory tests) the water heater is interesting. It heats the water while driving and it stays hot a long time. But when it cools off, you start the generator because the water heater is only electric. Kitchen is much more compact, but floor space is better. Making bed each night isn't as convenient, but bed is comfortable. Fridge is small and problematic. It is easier to get around tight spots in, again only marginally. What's done is done, and I like the Rialta. But I know my sunrader would have been a better bet mechanically. I am amazed at how difficult this is going to be to get worked on. VW won't work on them! Just hope it will be as dependable as the Toyota, but it's a gamble.

Thanks all. Buyer seemed like he "got it", but now I see he didn't. SIGH!!! Oh @%# the last thing I want to do is get into a feud with the man who bought my beloved sunrader. But the first thing I want to do is make sure my friends here know some truths. we have driven this little RV all over the country, it has never leaked a drop of oil, tranny fluid, or water in the engine, ever. it didn't even use oil. these people took it for a test drive, and looked the engine over thoroughly from above and below, and would have spotted any oil if it had been leaking. I spoke to this gentleman at length before he left home. I told him we had disconnected the water to the toilet and used a 1/2 gallon jug of water to flush to conserve water and reduce the amount of water going into the black water tank. I also told him the brand new valve and gasket kit was in the cupboard, should he want to install it. we, in good faith, believe there were no leaks in the camper. we had worked very hard to find and seal them all. I plainly stated to him that it does best between 55 and 60 mph. He says he doesn't remember me telling him that. I'm sure after being driven as fast as he could make it go for 6 1/2 hours, it isn't the sunrader we sold him. I wish we had waited for the nice man in Albuquerque who told me he had been looking 2 years for a sunrader, and he could be there this weekend. He would have known what a gem he was getting! this whole thing is terribly upsetting.

A lot more interest now, from here and the Toyota camper site. And yeah, I get the thrill seeker explaination. That exactly fits some of the response. Thanks everybody!

Yeah, I've had some trouble choosing the pictures. I've had a lot of interest, and I'm sure it will be sold in a few days. My husband agrees the price is low, but there is so much other stuff Going on that needs my attention, a quick sale seems best. It is an amazing amount of effort responding to people's calls, texts and emails, trying to facilitate travel plans, photo requests, making sure I accurately represent it to long distance buyers.....and still there are misunderstandings! I could pm you some tales

Wow. Selling a vehicle "long distance" is a very interesting experience! And that is putting it mildly. I think the price is more than fair, I have had a lot of interest, but it's still here....

Changed CL ad a bit, we bought a 95 rialta, borrowed some money and anxious to pay it back. I hope we don't regret buying it. I know I'll miss the Sunrader!

It's ok. I did finally get photos from iPhone resized. The ad is up here. Feel free to call or pm or email any questions. We bought an older rialta. I have both westfalia and sunrader up for sale. It is going to be really hard to sell each one. It will be even harder if the rialta is as trouble prone as some believe. But I believe the man I bought it from, and my favorite VW shop said it is in excellent mechanical condition. It still isn't fast, but it is considerably better suited for a lot of highway travel in a hurry. And for stealth camping. I've spent the last few days sorting through files coming across lots of pictures of all the great trips we've taken in it! It is sure a good one!!

I am computer illiterate tonight. I've been attempting to navigate the classified side here for a while. I'll try again later. In the meantime, here is my craigslist ad. http://lascruces.craigslist.org/rvs/5001141638.html Ok. I just need to get photos resized and will post ad here. We adjusted price to $7000. Wonder if that is a fair price.

Las cruces, NM. I'm getting ready to start home now, and will post ad early next week.

It is a 21

Don't hate me, something like a b+ van I'll be posting up specs and photos. It really is nice, if I say so myself.

Thanks for your concern Linda. we are ok, but family responsibilities cause us to be traveling a lot. And not fun trips like last year's wonderful wandering jaunt to the Grand Canyon and back in the sunrader. But hurry up and get there trips. Definite destinations with a purpose and a deadline. So yeah, we are selling both the westfalia and the sunrader to find something faster and smaller. Both will be very hard to part with. So will keep this forum posted.

I know it needs to be in the classified, but I'm out of town and have been for a month. Long story, but we are going to sell our 86 sunrader. When I get home, I'll post a proper ad, with pictures. Everything works, no leaks, runs like a champ. We've done a lot to it, and it is a great little motor home. We will be selling it for around $8000.

It seems to me that the number of scams involving toy homes are really increasing. I've got one of the CL apps that collect ads from several locations, and there is always at least one nice toyota RV scam everyday. Either Im just noticing, or they are good bait, for whatever reason. Ugh